The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Charles Robert Meyer (ASN: 0-20762), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action along the Villa Verde Trail, near Imugen, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1945. While accompanying forward elements of Company G, 127th Infantry Regiment, which was seeking junction with a similar unit maintaining a road block along the Villa Verde Trail, Colonel Meyer and his men found their way barred by a well-organized enemy position which included three large inter-connecting pillboxes as well as several rifle emplacements. Although these latter were quickly reduced, the Japanese pillboxes were so situated that rifle fire, grenades and charges of TNT were ineffective against them. Colonel Meyer, realizing they could only be approached from the hill above, accordingly made his way to a point atop the first of those pillboxes. Alone, and subjected to intense fire from the other enemy positions, Colonel Meyer lowered a charge of TNT which he skillfully improvised to detonate directly in front of the pillbox. The occupants of the remaining pillboxes, now aware of his intentions, concentrated their fire upon him; however, Colonel Meyer crawled to the top of the second pillbox. To prevent the enemy from destroying the fuse before it could explode, he ignited it and, leaning over the edge of the pillbox, held the charge until the last possible moment. The resultant terrific explosion destroyed the pillbox and blew Colonel Meyer backwards, bursting an ear drum and otherwise wounding him. Refusing evacuation, he directed the successful assault upon the last enemy position, Twelve enemy dead were found at the destroyed positions, the majority of them undoubtedly killed by his activities. Colonel Meyer’s conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.